Outdoor fireplace

ABSTRACT

A secure, easy to use and aesthetically appealing outdoor fireplace includes a housing, fuel management component and burner assembly. The fuel management component is disposed alongside the burner assembly and facilitates safe and effective distribution of fuel and dispersion of heat. A roller assembly eases fuel tank transfer while providing stable support, and an outer decorative wall cooperates with the frame platform mounted on the roller assembly to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the fireplace. The fireplace maintains a low profile for stability and aesthetics while properly managing heat so as to avoid damaging supporting surfaces as well as components of the fireplace itself.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fireplaces, and more particularly to outdoor fireplaces combining desirable aesthetic features with safe and effective functionality.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor fireplaces can be used for a variety of reasons, including for cooking, heating, drying, burning and even environmental aesthetics.

In using outdoor fireplaces, it is important to consider appropriate safety precautions to minimize personal risk and prevent property damage. As with any outdoor fire, there is the risk that the fire may spread to nearby objects and/or the natural surroundings of the fireplace. This risk is particularly prevalent with top heavy fireplaces, woodburning fireplaces, fireplaces positioned too close to flammable materials, and fireplaces with inadequate fuel control or heat dispersion. There is the further risk of heat damage to surfaces on which the fireplace is maintained, as well as any surfaces or materials forming a part of the outdoor fireplace. Patios, decks, yards and other surfaces can be damaged by exposure to fire or prolonged heated temperatures.

Maintaining a fireplace with a low center of gravity is desirable from a safety standpoint, in that a low profile fireplace tends to be more stable. However, placing the floor of the mixing chamber too close to the underlying support surface can transfer damaging radiant heat to the underlying surface. For outdoor fireplaces with propane gas fuel supplies, the positioning of the tank further complicates the balancing of safety, damage prevention and aesthetic considerations inherent in outdoor fireplace operation.

There is thus a need for providing improved outdoor fireplaces which maintain a low profile, provide improved fuel control and fuel flow, minimize dispersion of heat to areas where heat is not desirable and allow for simple, aesthetically desirable storage of fuel supplies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an outdoor gas fireplace that is aesthetically appealing, safe and easy to use. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a frame or housing having roller means for allowing a tank platform to extend into and out of the housing. A propane tank can be positioned on the platform and maintained securely in place. Hoses are also provided to direct the fuel from the propane tank through a regulator to an adjustable gas valve, wherein the fuel proceeding through the gas valve enters a mixing chamber to be mixed with air and thereafter directed to a burner within the housing for heat, cooking or other purposes. In one embodiment, venting slots or openings are provided in the walls of the fireplace and around the rim of the fire pan or burner plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front schematic view of one embodiment of the present invention, shown with invisible front wall to reveal interior detail, and further shown with fuel tank platform in both an open and closed position.

FIG. 2 is a top schematic view of the general embodiment of FIG. 1, shown with invisible top to reveal interior detail.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the general embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, shown with invisible side wall to reveal interior detail.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a control panel used as part of the fuel management component of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a layer of the fuel management component of the present invention which is behind the control panel of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the fire pan and burner assembly portion of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown with invisible top to reveal interior detail.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are front and right side views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, there is provided an outdoor fireplace 10 having frame 12 which houses fuel management component 20 and fire pan/burner assembly 30. Frame 12 includes a lower 12 a and upper 12 b base and at least one wall 12 c so as to form a housing for the components 20 and 30. Upper base 12 b is provided with inner edges so as to form an opening in the upper base whereby burners 31 can be exposed. In one embodiment, upper base comprises an edge extending the perimeter of the frame 12 for support of top member 16 and assembly 30 as will be described. Lower base member 12 a is open to assist in allowing a cooling airflow to enter from under the fireplace, as discussed later. An outer panel 14 can be secured to the frame wall 12 c for decorative purposes as well as for further insulation. A top member 16 is secured atop the frame upper base 12 b and is provided with inner 16 a and outer 16 b edges, with the inner edges forming an opening 17 cooperating with the opening in the frame upper base to allow fire pan/burner assembly 30 to be exposed at the surface of the fireplace. As shown in FIG. 1, top member 16 can be provided with fitting brackets or shims 77 on the underside surface 16 c of top member 16. These brackets 77 can be provided to mate appropriately with frame member 12 in order to secure top member to frame 12 as well as to provide sufficient height above firepan assembly 30 for ventilation and heat dispersion when the fireplace of the present invention is assembled. In one embodiment, brackets 77 allow top member 16 to extend at least approximately 0.8 inches above frame member. Brackets can be secured to frame using bolts and/or screws or similar mounting materials, or brackets can be shaped so as to engage corners and/or edges of frame member such that top member lies in close fitting engagement with frame while being readily removable.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, fire pan/burner assembly 30 can be secured to frame 12 via attachment means 15 such as screws, bolts and other mechanisms known in the art with sufficient strength to maintain the weight of the fire pan assembly 30 and any elements that might be held within it.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the outdoor fireplace 10 includes roller assembly 42 which engages tank platform 44 to allow the tank platform to move into and out of the interior of the fireplace. Tank platform supports tank 40 in both an open position 40 a and a closed position 40 b, as shown in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated that, while FIG. 1 shows the tank in both the fully open 40 a and fully closed 40 b platform positions, the fireplace 10 of the present invention is preferably designed for use with a single tank at a time. As shown in FIG. 3, tank platform 44 and support members 46 form a substantially U-shaped support frame in cross-section which helps maintain tank 40 in an upright and secure position. As shown in FIG. 1, platform 44 can include substantially horizontal structural members 44 a and 44 b which form an open interior area 44 c so as to allow the bottom edge of tank 40 c to at least partially reside in the open interior area 44 c for further stability. Outer panel 14 can also be secured to the support members 46.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 through 5, the fuel management component 20 of the present invention includes tank regulator member 38 and hose 39, which allow fuel from tank 40 to be controllably released upon opening tank such as is commonly known in the art. Fuel is released to a standard valve and connection means such as shown at 25 in FIG. 5. The fuel is directed through the adjustable gas valve 25 to a mixing chamber 28 to be mixed with outside air and then directed via inlet tube 29 through the burners 31 of the burner assembly 30 to be ignited and burned. When a user intends to light the fireplace using knob 24 and ignitor 22 on the control panel 23 (see FIG. 4), the spark ignitor 22 lights the main burner and the thermocouple 36 (see FIG. 6) senses the main flame. If the main flame extinguishes for any reason, the thermocouple 36 cools and causes the valve to shut off the gas supply to the burner. An air shutter 27, orifice 26 a and orifice bracket 26 b can operate as known in the art to facilitate the process. In one embodiment, the regulator 38 is disposed in approximately the same horizontal plane as the burners 31. The fireplace can be turned off by closing the valve 25 to stop flow of fuel to the burners. In one embodiment, a pilot can be used to light the burners and valve 25 can be adapted or replaced with an appropriate valve to accommodate this version of the present invention with a pilot.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the burner assembly 30 can include individual gas burners 31 to assist in radiating the heat and enhancing the visual appeal of the flame. The burner assembly also includes a fire pan 32 mounted to fireplace frame 12, a burner support 33 secured atop the fire pan to support the burners, and a burner top 34 secured atop the burner support 33 to engage the individual burners 31 as is known in the art. Electrode 35 and thermocouple 36 are also provided as shown in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the fire pan 30 is secured to the upper base so as to form a gap between the pan and the top member for venting.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the firepan assembly 30 is formed with an angled exterior upper wall 71, which can extend at an angle A from the plane N normal to the plane of the frame upper surface and/or the upper surface of top member 16. In one embodiment, angle A can be approximately 1 to approximately 5 degrees. As further shown in FIG. 6, as part of interior edge 16 a, top member 16 can have a first angled interior edge 72 which extends at an angle B from the plane N, and another angled interior edge 74 which extends at an angle C from the plane N. As shown in FIG. 6, edges 72 and 74 can extend in opposite directions from a middle interior edge portion 73. Middle interior edge portion 73 extends substantially in a direction which is coplanar with the top member upper surface plane and towards the top member outer edges 16 b. In an illustrative embodiment, angles B and C are each between approximately 1 degree and approximately 15 degrees. When combined with angled pan assembly upper wall 71, edges 72 and 74 provide structure which influences a draft around and away from firepan assembly 30, thereby assisting in the dissipation of heat during operation. In one embodiment, edge 71 is angled about substantially the entire edge of the fire pan assembly 30, and edges 72, 73 are angled about substantially the entire edge 16 a of top member 16. In another embodiment, edges 71, 72 and 73 are angled only about a portion of the fire pan assembly 30 or top member edge, respectively.

As further shown in FIG. 6, the fire pan exterior upper wall 71 can extend from an upper surface 76 of the fire pan in a direction relative to plane N which is opposite the direction of extension of top member inner edge portion 74 from portion 73, and in the same direction as top member inner portion 72 from top member upper surface. The fire pan exterior lower wall 75 can also extend at an angle from the plane N and, in one embodiment, this extension can be at the same angle as angle A.

It will be appreciated that the forming, relative positioning and angling of edges 71 through 75 facilitates outgoing and incoming air flow, which can dissipate heat away from the assembly 30 and help cool the surrounding elements of fireplace 10 as well as the supporting surfaces of the fireplace. Due to the generally open lower frame member 12 a, airflow can enter from the bottom and out the gap between the burner pan and the table top, as shown at 81. In one embodiment, the fireplace of the present invention includes or is positioned on legs that create an airspace for air to rise from below the fireplace, as shown by the dashed arrows 84. It will further be appreciated that the present invention further facilitates helpful ventilation when incorporated with handle members 80 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, such that drafting may proceed-either in or out of the handle members 80 as shown by arrows 82.

As shown in FIG. 1 and discussed above, the tank platform has an open 40 a position and a closed 40 b position, with the open position being when the platform 44 is movably extended along the roller assembly 42 to a position outside of the housing defined by the frame walls and upper and lower bases. In one embodiment, the present invention allows the platform to extend approximately an additional one-third of the closed length of the fireplace, and is dimensioned and constructed such that when the platform is in the open position, the fireplace maintains its stability with or without a fuel tank in place. This allows the present invention to maintain a low profile while maintaining the ability to manageably interchange a fuel supply. In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides for secure and stable operation while maintaining a low profile and having a length to height ratio of at least 3-to-1 in the platform open position. The length to width ratio and the height to width ratio are also important in maintaining the stability of the fireplace of the present invention, especially in counterbalancing the tank weight when the fireplace is in the open position and a tank is in place on the platform. In one embodiment, the present invention can maintain stability while accommodating a length to width ratio of at least 3-to-1 in the platform open position.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative oval embodiment of the fireplace 10 of the present invention having wall 14, top 16, burner assembly 30 with burners 31, tank 40 and tank support 44. Also shown in FIG. 7 are hinge members 50 which can be used to open top 16 to remove tank member 40.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims of the application rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

1. An outdoor fireplace, comprising: a frame having an upper and lower base and at least one outer wall so as to form a housing, said upper base having inner edges which define an opening therein; a top member secured atop said frame upper base, said top member having inner and outer edges, said inner edges forming an opening therein which cooperates with said upper base opening; a roller assembly mounted to said lower base; a tank platform movably engaging said roller assembly for supporting a removable fuel supply; a burner assembly having a fire pan secured to said frame upper base; and at least one burner mounted to said burner assembly above said fire pan.
 2. The fireplace of claim 1 further including a fuel supply securably positioned on said tank platform and means for delivering fuel from said fuel supply to said burner, said means comprising a regulator attached to said fuel supply, a hose attached at one end to said regulator and at another end to a fuel supply valve, said valve capable of directing fuel to an ignitor secured to said frame as well as to a mixing chamber secured via an inlet hose to said burner assembly.
 3. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said roller assembly allows said tank platform to extend substantially outside the length of said housing to an additional length at least one third of the length of said housing in the platform closed position.
 4. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said tank platform includes a substantially horizontal base and a substantially vertical support so as to form a substantially U-shaped tank support.
 5. The fireplace of claim 4 wherein an outer wall is mounted to said frame wall and to said substantially vertical support of said tank platform.
 6. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said tank platform includes substantially horizontal structural members forming an opening therebetween for receiving a bottom portion of a fuel supply tank.
 7. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said tank platform has an open position and a closed position, said open position occurring when said platform is movably extended along said roller assembly to a position outside of said housing, and further wherein said fireplace has a length and a height, said length being increased when said platform is in said open position, said length to height ratio when said platform is in said open position being at least 3-to-1 so as to maintain a low profile while maintaining the ability to manageably interchange a fuel supply.
 8. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said tank platform has an open position and a closed position, said open position occurring when said platform is movably extended along said roller assembly to a position outside of said housing, and further wherein said fireplace has a length and a width, said length being increased when said platform is in said open position, said length to width ratio when said platform is in said open position being at least 3-to-1 so as to maintain a low profile while maintaining the ability to manageably interchange a fuel supply.
 9. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said fire pan is secured to said frame upper base so as to form a gap between said pan and said upper base for venting.
 10. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said top member lies in a top member plane and wherein said fire pan has an exterior upper wall extending at an angle from a plane normal to said top member plane, said fire pan upper wall angle being at least approximately 1 to approximately 5 degrees.
 11. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said top member lies in a top member plane and wherein said top member inner edge includes a first interior edge portion extending at an angle from a plane normal to said top member plane, said first interior edge portion angle being at least approximately 1 to approximately 5 degrees.
 12. The fireplace of claim 11 wherein said top member inner edge has a second interior edge portion extending substantially in a direction which is coplanar with said top member plane and towards said top member outer edge, and further wherein said top member inner edge includes a third interior edge portion extending at an angle from a plane normal to said top member plane, said third interior edge portion angle being at least approximately 1 to approximately 15 degrees and further extending from said second interior edge in a direction which is opposite a direction of extension followed by said top member first interior edge portion.
 13. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said top member lies in a top member plane and wherein said fire pan has an exterior upper wall extending from an upper surface of said fire pan at an angle from a plane normal to said top member plane, and wherein said top member inner edge has at least a portion extending at an angle from a plane normal to said top member plane, said top member inner edge extending in a direction opposite to a direction of extension of said fire pan exterior upper wall from said fire pan upper surface.
 14. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said housing is at most 30 inches tall, and wherein said top member has an upper surface which extends at least approximately 0.8 inches above an upper surface of said fire pan.
 15. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said housing is substantially rectangular in cross-section.
 16. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein said housing is substantially oval in cross-section.
 17. The fireplace of claim 11 wherein said top member is hingeably secured to said frame.
 18. A method of constructing an outdoor fireplace, comprising the steps of: providing a frame having an upper and lower base and at least one outer wall so as to form a housing, said upper base having inner edges which define an opening therein; securing a top member atop said frame upper base, said top member having inner and outer edges, said inner edges forming an opening therein which cooperates with said upper base opening; providing a roller assembly mounted to said lower base; providing a tank platform movably engaging said roller assembly for supporting a removable fuel supply; providing a burner assembly having a fire pan secured to said frame upper base; and providing at least one burner mounted to said burner assembly above said fire pan.
 19. An outdoor fireplace, comprising: a housing having a base, an interior and an exterior; a fuel management component mounted to said housing, said fuel management component including a tank platform rollably mounted to said housing base, so as to allow said platform to move between the interior and exterior of said housing; and a burner assembly mounted to said housing.
 20. An outdoor fireplace, comprising: a housing having an upper and a lower base and at least one wall, said bases and said wall forming an interior and an exterior; a fuel management component mounted to said housing, said fuel management component comprising: a fuel tank situated upon said lower base and having a fuel exit location; a regulator mounted to the fuel exit location of said fuel tank; a hose mounted to said regulator at one end and to a valve at another end; a control panel mounted to said housing wall, said control panel having an ignitor mounted thereto, said ignitor being in fluid communication with said valve; a combustion chamber in fluid communication with said valve; and an inlet hose connected at a first end to said combustion chamber; and a burner assembly, comprising: a fire pan secured to said housing upper base; a burner base secured atop said fire pan; and a burner top secured to said burner base so as to engageably support at least one burner, said burner being in fluid communication with a second end of said inlet hose.
 21. The fireplace of claim 20 wherein said housing further includes a tank platform rollably mounted to said housing base, so as to allow said platform to move between the interior and exterior of said housing. 